Biography

Ukrainian born Russian Grandmaster who became the youngest Grandmaster in the history of chess (12 years and 7 months). European U10 Champion in 1999, World U12 Champion in 2001. He was the Vice European Champion U14 in 2001, Ukrainian U14 Champion in 2001 and the Vice Champion of Ukraine in 2003. Best results: Alushta GM 2001 and 2002, 1^st; St Petersburg 2005, 1^st; Cap d'Agde Rapid 2006, 2^nd; Top scorer in NH Chess Amsterdam 2007, Corus Wijk aan Zee B, 1^st; ACP World Rapid Cup 2010, 1^st. In matches he defeated Alexandra Kostaniuk 4:2 in 2003 and Nigel Short 7½:2½ in 2008. Strong blitz player he finished third in the World Blitz Championship in 2009. A participant in the 2004 World Championship and twice semi-finalists in the 2007 and 2009 World Cup. A participant in the Olympiads between 2002 and 2008 for Ukraine, he won the gold medal at the 2004 Olympiad and the individual gold medal for best performance at board six. In 2010, playing for the first time for Russia, he took the silver and individual gold for best performance on board 4. Since 2008 he is coached by Yury Dokhoyan. He was a member of Kramnik's team at the 2011 Candidates.

Karjakin is married to Women Grandmaster Kateryna Dolzhikova. Best ELO: 2788 in 2011, he is the 4th world ranked player.

Karjakin vs. Bacrot in 2009